Acetylene-gas generator.



PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

c. W. BECK. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1896.

a@ y Z @a E 1LNrTEiD STATES Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. BECK, OF CHICAGO, LLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSLGNMENTS, TOELECTROLITE GAS LAMP COMPANY, OF

YORK, N.` Y.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,867', dated May 23,1905.

Original application led August 29, 1896, Serial No. 604,255.

Divided and this application filed November 20, 1896. Serial To ./,t/Zwir/0m, if; Hefty concern;

Be it known that l, CHARLES W. BECK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain n'ew and useful Improvements in Lamps for BurningAcetylene Gas, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in lamps for generating andburning acetylene gas produced by the combination of calcic carbid witha suitable liquid slaking agent and it is the particular object of thepresent invention to provide a construction-in portable lamps (abicycle-lamp 'inthe embodiment illustrated) in which the transfer oftheliquid slaking agent to the carbid is effected through the medium of acapillaryT Siphon, thereby insuringr a substantially uniform iow ofliquid and a consequent uniform generation of gas and at the same timeproducing a lamp in which the flow of liquid is practically unailectedby jars and jolts transmitted to the lamp from the frame of the vehicle.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a construction in whichthe gas generated is passed through condensing and filtering devices onits way to the burner-j et and in'which the supply of liquid ispositively shut off at the same time that the burner is closed, therebyinterrupting the generation of gas and consequent waste after the lampis extinguished.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, and the same will bereadily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure l is an axial sectional view of a bicycle-lamp embodying myinvention, the headlight portion thereof being of conventional form.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail showing the inner truncated end of thevalveplug and the valve-actuating rod connected therewith. Fig. 3 is anaxial sectional view of the burner or jet nozzle and the upper end ofthe connected valve-sleeve.

Referring to the drawings, A designates as a whole a headlight which maybe of any desired and suitable form, and B the font or gas-generatingdevice, suitably connected with the lower part of the headlight andprovided at its top with a j et-nozzle C, arranged to project upwardlyWithin the reiiector A of the headlight.

The font B consists generally of the bowlshaped outer shell b, the upperportion of which is cylindric and closed at its upper end by means of ascrew-cap B', arranged to close the said shell l) hermetically exceptfor the jet-nozzle or burner C, hereinbefore referred to. As aconvenient construction for securing a gas-tight fit at the junction ofthe screwcap with the shell, the former is shown as provided with acylindric depending iiange U, exteriorly screw-threaded to fit Withinthe upper end of the shell b, and with a radiallyoutturned marginalflange b2, which overlies a similar outturned flange b, formed at theuppervmargin of the shell b. Between said lianges b2 b3 is arranged apacking ring or washer L. The cap B .is provided centrally with anupwardly-proj ecting extension B2, of reduced diameter and of generalcylindric form, adapted to fit within the depending springpetticoat-flange a of the headlight and provided at its upper end with acircumferential bead b, over which the said springflange clasps.

D designates a liquid-receptacle suitably conformed to iit snugly buteasily within the upper cylindric part of the shell b and of such depthas to extend downwardly within said shell approximately one-half of thedepth of the latter. In order to support said liquid-receptacle in thisposition within the upper part of the shell, the latter is convenientlyprovided with an internal ledge or bead herein shown as made by formingan external circumferential crease o7 in the body of the shell, uponwhich ledge the lower end of the liquid-receptacle rests. Theliquid-receptacle D is of annular form-that is to say, it is providedwith a relatively large open-ended tubular central passage B, extendingentirely through the said receptacle from top to bottom thereof-itslower end opening into the generating-chamber, so that theliquid-chamber is out of the vertical plane of the end of the passagewhich is in communication with generating-chamber. The top of theliquid-receptacle is closed by means of a cap or cover D2, provided witha central elevated portion D3, which extends upwardly within thesimilarlyshaped extension B2 and is suitably apertured at its center tofit exteriorly upon the upper end of the tubular partition-wall d. Saidcover D2 is provided with depending flanges d d2, which serve to retainthe cover in position and insure close joints at the outer and innermargins, respectively, of said cover.

In use the calcium carbid X is placed within the lower part of the shellb, and it will be obvious that in such a construction wherein the carbidoccupies the lower part of the font and the liquid the upper partthereof the automatic flow of liquid from the receptacle to the carbidmay be effected by siphonage. To this end the tubular inner wall d ofthe liquid-receptacle is provided at its upper end above theliquid-level with a plurality of wick apertures or inlets d, throughwhich are inserted wicks K. The wicks K are each of such length as toextend at their inner ends within the liquid-receptacle to the bottomthereof and to depend at their other ends downwardly within the tubularpassage to a point below the level of the bottom of theliquid-receptacle, said wicks extending laterally or horizontally fromthe liquidchamber into the passage which connects the two chambers andserves to convey the liquid laterally from the liquid-chamber to thepassage leading to generating-chamber. Obviously when thus arranged thewicks will absorb the liquid and act as capillary siphons to effectuatea practically uniform fiow of liquid from one receptacle to the other.Preferably and as herein shown the depend- 'ing ends of the wicks arearranged to extend through a mass of absorbent material H packed withinsaid tubular chamber throughout a portion of its length, as indicatedclearly in said Fig. l, the object of this construction being both toretard the flow of liquid and to render the fiow less susceptible to theeffect of jolts and jars.

The object of locating the liquid-chamber out of the vertical plane ofthe liquid-inlet to the generating-chamber and causing the liquid inpassing from the said fluid-chamber to ow laterally or horizontallythrough a body extended body of pervious material.

of pervious absorbent material for a portion of its movement to thegenerating-chamber is to secure a steady and uniform movement of theliquid and to permit of the use of an It will be readily understood thatthe greater the length of pervious material through which the liquidpasses the less effect will jars and finely-divided condition and whilein this condition is subjected to the pressure of the gas in thegenerating-chamber, the flow of liquid being therefore somewhatproportional to the gas-pressure.

I have ascertained by experiments that the gas becomes supercharged withaqueous vvapor in the course of its generation in a lamp of thecharacter described, so that water in the form of minute drops is liableto be carried up and form in the j et-nozzle and be forced therefrom, soas to interfere more or less with the proper burning of the gas, unlesssome means be provided for precipitating and collecting the superfluousmoisture before the gas issues from the nozzle. I have therefore in thepresent instance provided condensing and filtering devices as follows: Idesignates a stand-pipe arranged concentrically within the tubularpassage and in this instance supported at its lower end by means of adiaphragm cZ-7, which extends across the lower end of the tubularpassage, said diaphragm being suitably apertured for the passage of theends of the wicks. The lower end of the stand-pipe is open, while at itsup er end it is provided with a closure fi, suitab y perforated for theexit of gas. Preferably the upper part of the stand-pipe will be filledwith a porous packing of filtering material i.

In order to afford means for adjusting or regulating the flowingcapacity of the wicks, I have herein shown a sleeve-section L threadedupon the outside of the tubular wall within the liquid-receptacle at apoint immediately above the wick-apertures d, which sleeve-section isprovided at its lower end with a flaring or bell-shaped flange Z,adapted as the sleeve is screwed downwardly to impinge upon the severalwicks and by compressing them against the lower sides of the wickapertures reduce their porosity and thus retard the fiow of liquidtherethrough to any desired degree. I have also provided means wherebythe flow of liquid will be arrested when the gas-cock is turned so as toshut off or close the burner. This is accomplished by means of an innersleeve M, which is fitted to slide within the upper part of the tubularpassage immediately above the wick-apertures therein and is provided atits lower end with a flange m, substantially like that of the sleeve L.The upper end of said sleeve M is contracted and IIO vtruncated end g isconnected with the valve-plug G' by means of an actuating-rod arrangedas follows: At that part of said nozzle through which the valve-plug isinserted the body thereof is enlarged spherically, as indicated mostclearly in Fig. 3, and the gas-passage therein is deiiected from anaxial line toward the base or larger end of the valve-plug, thegas-passage E through the latter being correspondingly located toregister therewith. The smaller of the valve-plug terminates at a pointwithin the body of the spherical enlargement, the later being chamberedor provided with a recess c, within which the said end of the valve-plugprojects freely. A stud or wrist-pin g2 is provided upon the Vface endof the valve-plug, located eccentrically to the axis of the latter, withwhich recess the upper end of the pitman or actuatingrodjl is pivotallyconnected. The wrist-pin g2 is located in such angular relation to thegas-passage g through the valve-plug that when the latter is oscillatedto open and close the jet-nozzle the sleeve L will be correspondinglyelevated or depressed to relieve or compress the several wicks K at thepoints where the latter merge from the liquid-receptacle. In order thatthe valve-plug G may be held within its seat, a screw G is arranged toextend through the side wall of the jetnozzle in axial alinement withthe valve-plug and is engaged at its inner end with the end of thelatter. In order to avoid interference with this retaining-screw, theactuating-rod F is curved, as indicated atf.

Inasmuch as the screw-cap B of the font must be removed each time thelamp needs to be replenished it is necessary that the actuating-rod bealso disconnected when the cap is removed and reconnected when the capis returned to place, and this is conveniently accomplished by makingthe pitch of the screw-threaded connection between the end of theactuating-rod and the upper end of the sleeve L and the pitch of thescrewthreads upon the margins of the screw-cap equal, so that in turningthe screw-cap said parts will be simultaneously connected ordisconnected, as the case may be. In order to hold the sleeve INI fromrotation when the screw-cap is being turned, I provide a guidestud d4upon the inner tubular wall of the liquid-chamber, which stud isarranged to extend within a vertical slot e, formed in the sleeve L.Inasmuch as the upper end of the stand-pipe terminates within thevalve-sleeve the latter is provided with apertures Z for the escape ofthe gas to the base of the burner-nozzle.

In order to hold the liquid-receptacle in form bearing upon the ledge tand at the same time to insure that any gas which may pass upwardlybetween the outer walls of the liquid-receptacle and the shell b shallbe liltered, I provide a felt or analogous washer or packing J, whichoverlies the cover of the liquid-receptacle and is clamped at itsmargins, as at y', between said cover and the screw-cap of the font.

The operation of the lamp thus described is as follows: The screw-caphaving been removed and the liquid-receptacle lifted out, the carbid ispoured in, the liquid-receptacle filled and replaced in position. Uponturning the cock so as to open the nozzle C the valve-sleeve will beraised and the liquid permitted to pass downward through thefwicks intocontact with the carbid and will rapidly generate gas. The gas generatedin the body of the carbid, having no other means of ready escape, isforced into the stand-pipe and thence up to the jet-nozzle, issuing fromthe latter with considerable force and burning when ignited in a brightstrong jet.

While I have herein shown what I deem a preferred embodiment ofmyinvention, yet it will be obvious that the details thereof may bemodified to some extent without departure from the invention, and I donot, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise details shown, exceptas made the subject of specific claims.

I claim- 1. In a lamp for generating and burning acetylene gas, thecombination of a chamber for the carbid, a superposed chamber for thefluid, a tube extending upwardly from the bottom of said chamber, and acapillary siphon or siphons extending from the charge of iiuid throughopenings in the walls of the tube and thence downward through said tubeinto the chamber for the carbid.

2. In a lamp for generating and burning acetylene g-as, the combinationof a chamber for the carbid, a superposed chamber for the fluids, a tubeextending upwardly from the bottom of said latter chamber, a capillarysiphon or siphons extending from the fluidchamber through openings inthe walls of the tube and thence downward through said tub into thechamber for the carbid and a porous packing filling said tube around thereach of siphon therein and serving therewith to regulate the feed andas a 'filter for the ascending gas.

3. In a lamp generating and burning acetylene gas, the combination of achamber for the carbid, a superposed chamber for the fluids, aperforated tube extending upwardly from the bottom of said latterchamber, a sleeve inclosed within said tube and opening above to agas-duct, a stop-cock in said duct, a connection between said sleeveIand the cock whereby it is reciprocated by the turning of the latter,and a capillary siphon or siphons leading from the fluid-chamber throughthe perforated tube to thel carbid-chamber, against which siphon thesleeve is jammed to cut olf the flow of fluid when the stop-cock isturned to close the duct.

4. In a lamp for generating and burning IOO IIO

acetylene gas, the combination with a compartment for the reception ofcarbid and generaf-tion of gas, and asuperposed compartment for a chargeof slaking fluid, of a perforated tube rising through thefluid-compartment, Siphon-wicks extending from the fluid-coinpartmentthrough the tube into the carbidcompartment, a stand-pipe leading fromthe generating-compartment up through said tube and having an inletpassage or passages at its lower end, and a packing between thestand-pipe and the tube, embracing the wicks.

5. The combination with the fluid-receptacle and the tubular passage-waytherethrough, and with the siphon wick or wicks and the aperturesthrough which they enter said passage-way, of the regulating-sleeveexterior to and adjustable upon the wall of said passage-way and flangedat its end to press upon the wicks.

6. The combination with the fluid-receptacle and the tubular passage-waytherethrough, and with the siphon wick or wicks and the aperturesthrough which they enter said passage-way, of the cut-off sleeve movablewithin the tubular passage-way, and flanged at its lower end to jamagainst the wicks, and means whereby said sleeve may be adjusted up anddown to release the wicks or bear against them.

7. The combination with the fluid-receptacle and the tubular passage-waytherethrough, and with the siphon wick or wicks and the aperturesthrough which they enter said passage-way, of the cut-off sleeve slidingwithin the passage-way and flanged at its lower end to am against thewicks, the stopcock or plug-valve, and a connection between said valveand the sleeve, whereby the sleeve is lifted away from the wicks whenthe valve is opened, and jammed against them when the valve is closed.

8. The combination with the fluid-receptacle and the tubular passage-waytherethrough, and with the siphon-wicks and the apertures through whichthey enter said passage-way, of the regulating-sleeve exterior to andadjustable upon the wall of said assageway, the cut-off sleeve movablewit in said wall, and means for shifting the position of said lattersleeve, to cause it to jam against the wicks or release it therefrom.

9. The combination with the fluid-receptacle and the tubular passage-waytherethrough, and with the siphon-wicks and the apertures through whichthey enter said passage-way, of the regulating-sleeve exterior to andthreaded upon the wall of the passageway above said apertures, and thecut-off sleeve sliding within said way and also above the apertures, andmeans connected with the burner-valve for reciprocating said sleeve tojam it against the wicks or release it therefrom in turning the gas offand on.

10. In a gas-generator the combination with a water-reservoir and with ageneratingchamber below the reservoir, of a siphontube leading from thereservoir to the chamber, the reservoir and chamber being otherwisedisconnected whereby the gas-pressure developed within the chamberregulates the flow of the water by direct action upon the siphon.

11. In a gas-generator, the combination with a water-reservoir and witha generatingchamber below the reservoir, of a capillary siphonleadingfrom the reservoir to the chamber and means for applying pressureto compress the siphon whereby the iiow of liquid therethrough isrestricted.

12. In an apparatus for generating gas by the reaction of a li uidacting upon a solid, a closed generating-chamber for the solid, providedwith a controllable gas-outlet, a liquidchamber, an open-ended extendedpassage connecting said chambers, the walls of said passage beingimperforate and a body of pervious material obstructing said passage andserving to impede and regulate the flow of liquid to thegenerating-chamber, said generating-chamber being hermetically sealed,except for its gas-outlet, against access of outer air whereby the gasmay be generated under pressure by lcontrolling the said gasoutlet.

13. In an apparatus for generating gas by the reaction of' a liquidacting upon a solid, a closed generating-chamber for the solid, providedwith a restricted gas-outlet, aliquidchamber, an open-ended extendedpassage connecting said chambers, the walls of said passage beingimperforate, and a body of pervious material obstructing said passageand serving to impede and regulate the flow of liquid to thegenerating-chamber, said generating-chamber being hermetically sealed,except for its gas-outlet, against access of outer air, whereby the gasmay be generated under pressure.

14. In an apparatus for generating gas by the reaction of a liquid upona solid, a closed generating-chamber for the solid provided with arestricted gas-outlet, a liquid-chamber, an extended passage connectingsaid chambers, said passage being formed throughout its length byimperforate immovable walls, and a stationary body of pervious materialconfined between said immovable walls said body of pervious materialserving to impede and regulate the flow of liquid to thegenerating-chamber, said generating-chamber being hermetically sealedexcept for its gas-outlet, against access of outer air, whereby the gasmay be generated under pressure.

15.` In an apparatus for generating gas by the reaction of' a liquidupon a solid, a closed generating-chamber for the solid provided with arestricted gas-outlet, a liquid-chamber, an extended passage connectingthe two chambers, and a body of pervious material obstructing saidpassage and serving to impede and regulate the flow of the liquid to thegenerating-chamber, said body of pervious material extending laterallybetween the two chambers so that the flow of liquid between the chamberswill be lateral for a portion of its movement, and the liquid will becaused to flow through an extended body of pervious material beforereaching the generating-chamber.

16. In an apparatus for generating gas by the reaction of a liquid upona solid, a closed generating-chamber for the solid, a liquidchamber, anextended passage connecting said chamber said passage being formedthroughout its length by immovable walls, and a body of perviousmaterial coniined between said immovable walls, a part of said body ofpervious material extending laterally between the two chambers so theiow of liquid between the two chambers will be lateral for a portion ofits movement, and the liquid will be caused to iiow through an extendedbody of pervious material before reaching the generating-chamber. y

17. ln an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, a closedgenerating-chamber for the carbid provided with a gas-outlet, aliquidchamber, an extended passage formed of imperforate immovable wallsand connecting the two chambers and provided with a liquidinlet at oneend, said inlet being in communication with the liquid-chamber, theother end of the passage forming an outlet in oommunication with thegenerating-chamber said passage being closed except for said inlet andoutlet, and a longitudinally-extended stationary body of pervious`material obstructing said passage and receiving liquid at the inlet ofsaid passage and conducting it through said passage to thegeneratingchamber, in a finely-divided condition, whereby the liquidwill all be conducted through the length of the pervious material in thepassage, the generating-chamber being sealed against access of outer airexcept forits gas-outlet.

1S. ln an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, a closedgenerating-chamber for the carbid provided with a gas-outlet, aliquidchamber, an extended passage connecting said chambers and providedwith a liquidinlet at one end in communication with the liquid-chamber,its outer end forming an outlet and being in communication with thegenerating-chamber, the liquid-chamber being located out of the verticalplane of the outlet end of the extended passage which is incommunication with the generating-chamber, said passage being closedexcept for said inlet and outlet, and a longitudinally-extended body ofpervious material obstructing said passage, said body of perviousmaterial extending laterally between the two chambers so that the flowof liquid between the two chambers will be lateral for a portion of itsmovement and the liquid will be caused to flow through the body ofpervious material confined in the extended passage before reaching thegenerating-chamber.

19. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of ageneratingcham er, a liquid-chamber, a passage connecting the twochambers, the liquid-chamber being out of the vertical plane oftheopening from said passage into the generating-chamber, an extended bodyof pervious absorbent material extending laterally between the twochambers and through which the liquid passes from the liquid-chamber tothe generating-chamber, whereby the jarring of the liquid-chamber willnot interfere with the uniformity of the liquid-feed into thegenerating-chamber.

20. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of acarbid-chamber provided with a liquid-inlet, a liquidchamber located outof the vertical plane of the liquid-inlet into the generating-chamber,and a body of pervious absorbent material arranged to conduct liquidfrom the liquidchamber laterally to the inlet into thegenerating-chamber, whereby jarring of the liquidchamber will notinterfere with the uniformity of the feed into the generatingchamber.

21. An acetylene-generator comprising in l CHARLES YV. BECK.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. GRAVES, WILLIS D. SHAFER.

IOO

